RICHMOND, Ky. – EKU Athletics celebrates the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Title IX legislation today.
 
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 became law fifty years ago today. The law states that "no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Since its passage, Title IX has dramatically increased athletic opportunities for women and girls participating in sports at schools and universities. Prior to the passage of Title IX, women and girls were limited to intramural, sports clubs and park districts when participating in sports. In 1971, only one percent of collegiate athletic budgets went to women's sports programs. Since Title IX's passage, female participation in sports at the collegiate level has increased by 614 percent.

Eastern Kentucky has sponsored 13 women's varsity sports since the passage of Title IX. EKU's women's programs have captured 92 shared or outright conference championships, claimed 72 conference athletes of the year honors, and placed 41 women in the EKU Athletics Hall of Fame. 

EKU Athletics will honor its past and current women's programs with monthly recognitions throughout the year that will highlight each team's history, from its inception to its present state. Additionally, EKU will honor notable firsts for each program, including coaches, student-athletes, and administrators, while recognizing each program's growth over the past 50 years.